Our panel of NFL experts handicaps Week 13 of the NFL season (against the spread).

The result of the NFL Network matchup each Thursday night (*) will be reflected in the NFL picks chart printed in Sunday's Press sports section.

WEEK 13 PICKS

Brian VanOchtenPress NFL writer and Lions columnist

Lions forecast

CIN (-13) over DET

The pick: Bengals 31, Lions 10

The skinny: "Here's a matchup that already has been decided at the line of scrimmage. The Bengals are the NFL's stingiest defense, allowing just 15.8 points per game. The Lions are the NFL's biggest pushover, ranked last in total defense and points allowed (30.5). The forecast is a long afternoon for the Lions."

Other games

*NYJ (-3) over BUF

PHI (-5½) over ATL

TB (+7) over CAR

STL (+9) at CHI

IND (-7) over TEN

HOU (Pick) over JAX

DEN (-4½) over KC

PIT (-13½) over OAK

NO (-9) over WAS

SD (-13½) over CLE

DAL (-2½) over NYG

SF (Pick) over SEA

NE (-5) over MIA

MIN (-2½) over ARI

BAL (+3) over GB

Scoreboard

Lions: 6-5

Last week: 8-8

Overall: 94-80-1 (.540)

David MayoPress sports columnist

Lions forecast

DET (+13) over CIN

The pick: Bengals 27, Lions 17

The skinny: "I know Carson Palmer will throw it over this sorry defense. I know Cedric Benson could shred this defense with two bad knees and one bad ankle. I know Detroit on the road is one of the dumbest bets in sports. And I know I'm not taking the Bengals and laying 13 to anybody."

Other games

*NYJ (-3) over BUF

ATL (+5½) over PHI

TB (+7) over CAR

STL (+9) at CHI

TEN (+7) over IND

JAX (Pick) over HOU

DEN (-4½) over KC

PIT (-13½) over OAK

NO (-9) over WAS

SD (-13½) over CLE

NYG (+2½) over DAL

SEA (Pick) over SF

ARI (+5) over MIN

MIN (-2½) over ARI

GB (-3) over BAL

Scoreboard

Lions: 5-6

Last week: 8-8

Overall: 82-92-1 (.471)

Kevin MatthewsWLAV-FM (96.9) morning show host

Lions forecast

CIN (-13) over DET

The pick: Bengals 31, Lions 10

The skinny: "This game will cost the Lions $18 million. Quarterback Matthew Stafford will leave with a shoulder injury and won't return until next season. No more wins this season. Go Red Wings!"

Other gamesKevin Matthews

*NYJ (-3) over BUF

ATL (+5½) over PHI

TB (+7) over CAR

STL (+9) at CHI

IND (-7) over TEN

JAX (Pick) over HOU

DEN (-4½) over KC

OAK (+13½) over PIT

NO (-9) over WAS

SD (-13½) over CLE

NYG (+2½) over DAL

SEA (Pick) over SF

MIA (+5) over NE

MIN (-2½) over ARI

GB (+3) over BAL

Scoreboard

Lions: 8-3

Last week: 8-8

Overall: 91-83-1 (.523)

Bill SimonsonWBBL-FM (107.3) "Huge Show" sports-talk host

Lions forecast

DET (+13) over CIN

The pick: Bengals 28, Lions 24

The skinny: "It'll be an inspired effort. But they'll lose at the end as Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco burns Lions safety Louis Delmas for a 78-yard touchdown."